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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Jake Polden

Boston Red Sox star makes point about ESL in Liverpool shirt in front of John W Henry

Boston Red Sox star Xander Bogaerts voiced his opinion on the European Super League following his Major League Baseball side's victory over the Toronto Blue Jays.

Bogaerts wore a Liverpool shirt as he fronted the world's media at Fenway Park, with the principal owner of Boston Red Sox and the Reds, John W. Henry, looking on.

"Total coincidence for this shirt, just so you guys know," began Bogaerts. "I don't play [football] but I like it the way it is.

"Why would you put so many of those awesome teams to be in one league?

"It's special when Liverpool plays Real Madrid maybe one time a year. Or one time in every four years in the Champions League. Now you're going to play them every year? It's more special if it happens occasionally."

Xander Bogaerts voiced his opinion on the European Super League (SIPA USA/PA Images)

His opinion mirrored that of the millions of fans voicing their anger back in the UK after it was announced that Liverpool and 11 other teams had signed up for the controversial breakaway league.

Liverpool announced late on Tuesday night its plans to U-turn amid the huge backlash.

Henry, shortly after the press conference in Boston, recorded a video in which he apologised to Liverpool fans for the disruption his decision caused.

"I want to apologise to all the fans and supporters of Liverpool Football Club for the disruption I caused over the past 48 hours," said Henry.

"It goes without saying but should be said that the project put forward was never going to stand without the support of the fans. No one ever thought differently in England. Over these 48 hours, you were very clear that it would not stand. We heard you. I heard you.

Principal owner of Boston Red Sox and Liverpool, John W. Henry (PA)

"And I want to apologise to Jurgen (Klopp), to Billy (Hogan), to the players and to everyone who works so hard at LFC to make our fans proud. They have absolutely no responsibility for this disruption.

"They were the most disrupted and unfairly so. This is what hurts most. They love your club and work to make you proud every single day.

"I know the entire LFC team has the expertise, leadership and passion necessary to rebuild trust and help us move forward. More than a decade ago when we signed up for the challenges associated with football, we dreamed of what you dreamed of.

"And we've worked hard to improve your club. Our work isn't done. And I hope you'll understand that even when we make mistakes, we're trying to work in your club's best interests. In this endeavour, I've let you down.

"Again, I'm sorry, and I alone am responsible for the unnecessary negativity brought forward over the past couple of days. It's something I won't forget. And shows the power the fans have today and will rightly continue to have.

"If there's one thing this horrible pandemic has clearly shown, it's how crucial fans are to our sport and to every sport. It's shown in every empty stadium. It's been an incredibly tough year for all of us; virtually no one unaffected.

"It's important that the Liverpool football family remains intact, vital and committed to what we've seen from you globally, with local gestures of kindness and support. I can promise you I will do whatever I can to further that. Thanks for listening."

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